Hole-vac

ABSTRACT

An attachment used for digging and removing debris from a hole is connected to a flexible hose of a typical shop vacuum device, and includes a handle, a first tubular section, a second tubular section, a plurality of depth indicators, a bubble level, and a cutting head. This is a light-weight accessory that transforms the existing shop vacuum into an excavating and digging tool instantaneously. There is less energy expended and time spent digging holes.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vacuum attachments which are implementsfor digging, and for removing debris from holes being dug.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is a problem in the art to remove debris from a hole being dug.

Also, it is a problem in the art to provide a relatively low cost andlight-weight attachment for a vacuum cleaner for use as a diggingimplement.

It is a further problem in the art to produce vertical holes whilemanually digging a hole.

Further, it is a problem in the art to produce vertical holes at aspecified depth while manually digging a hole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

From the foregoing, it is seen that it is a problem in the art toprovide a device meeting the above requirements. According to thepresent invention, a device is provided which meets the aforementionedrequirements and needs in the prior art. Specifically, the deviceaccording to the present invention provides an attachment for a vacuumto remove debris from a hole being dug.

The device according to the present invention also provides a relativelylow cost and light-weight attachment for a vacuum cleaner for use as adigging implement. It also includes depth indicators and a level, toenable a user to produce vertical holes of a specified depth whilemanually digging a hole.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be morereadily apparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an attachment (called a “hole-vac”hereunder) for digging and removing debris from a hole, connected to therigid tube of a typical vacuum device, according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of a handle for securement to theabove-noted rigid tube, in the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the handle of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the handle of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the handle of FIGS. 2-4 as viewedfrom the right hand side of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cutting head, in the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the cutting head of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a bottom elevational view of the cutting head of FIGS. 6 and7.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the hole-vac attachment ofFIG. 1, showing connection of the handle, a first tubular section, asecond tubular section, and the cutting head.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the hole-vac attachment of FIGS. 1 and 9,and showing depth indicators for use thereon.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the lowermost end of the hole-vacattachment of the present invention, showing use of the hole-vacattachment in digging soil-debris in ground and using suction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an attachment 100, called a“hole-vac” hereinafter, for digging and removing debris from a hole. InFIG. 1, the hole-vac attachment 100 is shown connected to the firsttubular section of a typical shop vacuum device V having a hose T. Thehole-vac attachment 100 includes a handle 10, a first tubular section20, a second tubular section 30, a plurality of depth indicators 40, anda cutting head 50. This light-weight accessory 100 transforms theexisting shop vacuum V into an excavating and digging toolinstantaneously. There is less energy expended and time spent diggingholes.

The handle 10 clamps onto an end of the first tubular section 20, and isshown in greater detail in FIGS. 2-4. The tubular section 20, istypically of a 2.0 inch diameter, which is a common size. The presentinvention can be adapted for use with other hose and tube diameters aswell, and all such variations are contemplated as being within the scopeof the present invention. The invention is not limited to a specificvacuum device or specific type of hose T, and can be used with othertypes of vacuum devices and with other types of vacuum outlets, and allsuch variations are contemplated as being within the scope of thepresent invention.

The hole-vac attachment 100 makes holes quickly and easily withrelatively very little physical exertion. It also makes vertical holesstraighter with the bubble level feature shown in FIG. 2. It indicatesdepth of hole with measurement indicators 40 placed on the vacuum tubesections 20 and 30. And, there is relatively little or no disruption ofsurrounding area.

The hole-vac attachment 100 maneuvers easily into constricted placeswith relatively minimal impact. Holes can be made as small as 3 inch indiameter in the typical construction shown, and other sizes are possibleby varying the size of the device. Holes can be made several feet deep.The hole-vac attachment 100 can be used horizontally for creatingtrenches, driveways for running water or electrical services, andunderground city work/maintenance.

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the handle 10 for securement to thefirst tubular section 20, in the device of FIG. 1. As seen in FIG. 2,the handle 10 includes a bubble level 19 (schematically indicated).Bubble levels are well known, and any type can be used herein. Thehandle 10 also includes a pair of opposed wing portions 17 and 18, and acylindrical portion 14 for encompassing the end of the first tubularsection 20. The bubble level 19 can help guide and help consistentlymake holes straight (vertically).

The cylindrical portion 14 includes a free end 14 a having a projectingmember 16 therein. The projecting member 16 has an opening or bore 16 atherethrough for receiving a threaded member such as a bolt or screw 12(seen in FIG. 4). The wing portion 18 has a pair of bores 18 a and 18 bfor receiving a bolt or a screw 12 as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the handle 10 of FIG. 2. The partsare as discussed above. In additional, a bolt 12 is shown disposedthrough the bore 16 a and the bores 18 a and 18 b. When tightened usingthe elements shown in FIG. 4, the bolt 12 draws the free end 14 a of thecylindrical portion 14 tighter so that the cylindrical portion 14 cansecurely grip an end of the hose T.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the handle 10 of FIGS. 2 and 3. Here,the threaded bolt 12 is shown with an associated wing nut 12 a, togetherwith a washer 12 b, shown in assembly view. In use, the threaded bolt isinserted through the bores 16 a, 18 a, and 18 b, and then the washer 12b is applied as shown and the wing nut 12 a is screwed onto the end andhand-tightened until the handle 10 is secured to the hose T.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the handle 10 of FIGS. 2-4 asviewed from the right hand side of FIG. 3. The parts are as describedabove. Here, the body of the bolt 12 is shown in dashed outline.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cutting head 50 for use in thedevice 100 of FIG. 1. The cutting head 50 has a hollow interior opening56 and an interior sidewall 51. The interior sidewall 51 receives an endof the hollow section 30 therein and is sized so that it frictionallyretains the end of the hollow section 30 therein. A plurality of teeth52 are shown, which are used in digging. The cutting head 50 can becomposed of any suitable material, such as strong plastic, steel oriron, tool steel, hardened alloy, or any other material known to any onehaving skill in the digging tool arts.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the cutting head 50 of FIG. 6,showing interior detail in dashed outline. The interior sidewall 51 isshown, and an internal rib portion 54 strengthens the cutting head 50.The opening 56 is also shown.

FIG. 8 is a bottom elevational view of the cutting head of FIGS. 6 and7. Here, the shapes and details of the teeth 52 are shown.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the hole-vac attachment 100of FIG. 1, showing connection of the handle 10, the first tubularsection 20, the second tubular section 30, and the cutting head 50. Asseen, the first and second tubular sections 20 and 30 are simply hollowcylindrical members, having ends that are in a friction fit with eachother. The end of the section 30 carrying the cutting head 50 is in afriction fit, as mentioned hereinabove. The sections 20 and 30 arepreferably composed of a lightweight material such as plastic. To extendthe length, additional sections (not shown) could be added. Similarly,while not shown, longer lengths of hose T could be provided, andextension hoses could be provided. All such variations are contemplatedas being within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the hole-vac attachment 100 of FIGS. 1and 9, showing the parts in exploded view. The parts are as describedhereinabove. This view also shows the plurality of depth indicators 40for use on the sides of the sections 20 and 30 to indicate depth.

The device 100 of FIGS. 1-10 is used as follows. First, the user placesthe cutting head 50 in contact with the ground. Then, by holding thehandle 10 and simultaneously pressing down firmly, the user initiates arotating action (clockwise and counter-clockwise). The ground is therebyloosened and the loose earth (debris) is sucked by a vacuum from theshop vacuum V out of the hole and into a container in the shop vacuum.The hole can be made wider by repeating the same action on theperimeters of the hole, and the hole can be made deeper by adding extraextensions to the vacuum tube sections 20 and 30 as noted above. Theuses of the invention include making holes in the ground andsimultaneously removing soil/debris. The hole-vac attachment 100 willremove surrounding soil without destroying plant roots.

Also there is no danger of electrical shocks if contacting live wiresdue to the insulating effect of the plastic vacuum tube members 20 and30. The attachment 100 can dig horizontal holes under walkways and withextensions can even do under driveways.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the lowermost end 50 of the hole-vacattachment 100 of the present invention, showing use of the hole-vacattachment 100 in digging soil-debris in the ground and using suction toremove debris.

In the foregoing, a vacuum V is mentioned having a hose T. In somestandard shop vacuums, the hose T terminates in a rigid section, and inthis case that rigid section serves as the first tubular section 20.However, where the vacuum V has a source of vacuum that is just a hose,such as the hose T, then the first tubular section is provided.Furthermore, the parts shown and described hereinabove are contemplatedas being secured by being friction fit together or clamped in the mannerdiscussed already hereinabove; however other securing means can also beused, such as (but not limited to): releasable bolts, pins, interlockingjoints, adhesive, and the like.

The invention being thus described, it will be evident that the same maybe varied in many ways by a routineer in the applicable arts. Suchvariations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit andscope of the invention and all such modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An attachment for connection to a suction hose ortubular section of a vacuum, comprising: a handle having an adjustableclamp; a first tubular section connected to said handle; a secondtubular section having a first end and a second end, wherein said firstend is connected to said first tubular section; a cutting head connectedto said second end of said second tubular section.
 2. The attachment asclaimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of depth indicatorsdisposed on said first tubular section and said second tubular section.3. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a bubblelevel indicator disposed in said handle.
 4. The attachment as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said adjustable clamp includes a threaded member and awing nut.
 5. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handleincludes a body portion which is in a generally a hollow tubular shapehaving an open end, and further comprising an extension arm extendingfrom said body portion adjacent said open end; and wherein saidextension portion has an opening therethrough for receiving a threadedmember for use in adjusting said adjustable clamp.